2006 World Cup Team of the Tournament

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Here is the official Football England Team of the Tournament for the 2006 World Cup.

We reported on every game and rated the players on their performances. Having reviewed the ratings we have come up with the players who impressed us most consistently during the competition.

The only basis for qualification was that the player had to have made three or more appearances. The results may surprise you in some cases, but players who go home early inevitably get forgotten and it is not always their fault.

The most obvious difficulty we had was finding a left back (we ended up compromising by naming another centre half), and a couple of strikers.

Gk: Richard Kingson (Ghana)
4 games, ave. rating: 7.25

Kingson was consistently impressive behind a somewhat erratic defence scoring three 7's and clocking an 8 in the victory over the Czech Republic.

RB: Darijo Srna (Croatia)
3 games, ave. rating: 7.66

Srna impressed in all three group games and was the Football England star player in the infamous clash with Australia. He had a penalty saved in the game against Japan but offered Croatia their one consistent attacking outlet and probably covered more ground than anyone in the tournament despite going home after the group stage.

CH: Rafael Marquez (Mexico)
4 games, ave. rating: 7.50

Marquez started with a star performance against Iran and finished with a superb display (including a fine goal) against Argentina.
He was strong and commanding at the back but used the ball well and was not afraid to step out of defence to start attacks.

CH: Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)
7 games, ave. rating: 8.15

The undisputed Football England player of the tournament, his rating is exceptional given that he played the maximum number of games.
He started as he meant to go on earning the star player award in Italy's first game with Ghana and gained a perfect 10 for his performance against Australia.
Cannavaro was magnificent, quick over the first few yards, reading the game perfectly and capable of putting in a bone shaking challenge without looking crude.
His best moment was undoubtedly in the last minute of the semi when he intercepted a German attack and then forced his side forward to score their second, clinching goal.

LB: Roberto Ayala (Argentina)
5 games, ave. rating: 7.40

Ayala sneaks in as there were no left backs who scored anywhere near the 7 mark.
Quick and nimble Ayala would probably cope at full back, defensively he is seldom beaten and he is not embarrassed with the ball at his feet.

RM: Juan Roman Riquelme (Argentina)
5 games, ave. rating: 7.60

Riquelme possibly peaked too soon with a truly wonderful display against Ivory Coast in the first game but he was the heartbeat of the dazzling attacking displays Argentina treated us to in the first couple of weeks.
The decision to take him off against Germany when they were one goal up probably cost the Argies their chance.

CM: Michael Essien (Ghana)
3 games, ave. rating: 8.00

Essien was truly awesome and perhaps the unluckiest player in the tournament.
While the rest of the world got down to making us feel sick with their underhand antics Essien was forced to sit out his countries biggest ever game (against Brazil) after picking up two cautions in the group stage.
Without Essien Ghana would never have emerged from their difficult group. He brought order and rhythm to a completely off the cuff sort of side and showed far more adventure than he is allowed at Stamford Bridge. Outstanding.

CM: Gennaro Gattuso (Italy)
6 games, ave. rating: 7.66

The funny thing is, if De Rossi had not elbowed Brian McBride in the face this fella might not have played at all. It's lucky for Italy that he did.
There are no frills about Captain Caveman but he performed consistently and did the ugly things well right through for the Italians.
We never rated him lower than a 7 and he scored 9's against the Czech Republic and Germany in the semi final.

LM: Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic)
3 games, ave. rating: 7.66

The Czech's ended up a tired looking side and badly short of firepower.
Nedved remained a class act throughout their faltering effort to qualify from their group. He was especially heroic in the defeat against Italy when his side were down to 10 men and waged a one man war on the Italian goal.
All to no avail of course, other than it got him a place in our team. Another honour in his distinguished career.

CF: Fernando Torres (Spain)
4 games, ave. rating 7.25

Likely looking forwards were in short supply and Torres just about did enough to sneak into our side.
He started in great form and was our star player in both Spain's first two games (against Ukraine and Tunisia) but did little against France in the game that saw his side eliminated.

CF: Carlos Tevez (Argentina)
4 games, ave. rating: 7.50

Tevez was mainly used as a substitute but was the forward who impressed us most consistently during the tournament.
Quick, strong and always looking to commit defenders he was a real handful.
Looks the type who would work well with a decent target man but that kind of thinking seems to have vanished from football altogether. Probably because it led to loads of goals being scored.

Subs

G.Buffon (Italy) 7 games, rating 7.00
I.Hurtado (Ecuador) 3 games, rating 7.33
M.Ballack (Germany) 5 games, rating 7.40
Z.Zidane (France) 6 games, rating 7.33
A.Robben (Holland) 3 games, rating 7.33